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Why It Matters
If every sentence starts the same way, your writing sounds repetitive and dull. Varied openers show the examiner you have control over your writing and can create rhythm and interest.
Examples
“Cautiously, I pushed the door open.”
-- Adverb opener“Without a word, she turned and walked away.”
-- Prepositional phrase opener“Trembling, the boy reached into the darkness.”
-- -ing word opener“Although the sun was shining, something felt wrong.”
-- Subordinate clause opener“Behind the old oak tree, a path led into the shadows.”
-- Prepositional phrase openerTry to vary your first word in every paragraph. A good test: read the first word of each sentence in your piece. If you see "I, I, I, The, I" — rewrite. Mix in adverbs, prepositions, -ing words, and subordinate clauses.
Practice Exercises
Try these exercises to practise using varied sentence openers in your own writing. Click "Show Suggestions" to see example answers.
1
Rewrite this sentence with an adverb opener: "I walked slowly through the graveyard."
Slowly, I walked through the graveyard.
Reluctantly, I made my way through the graveyard.
2
Rewrite this sentence with a subordinate clause opener: "I couldn't see anything because the fog was so thick."
Because the fog was so thick, I couldn't see a thing.
Although I strained my eyes, the fog hid everything from view.
3
Rewrite this sentence with an -ing opener: "She climbed the fence and dropped down the other side."
Climbing the fence with trembling hands, she dropped down the other side.
Gripping the cold metal, she hauled herself over the fence and landed with a thud.